Month: February 2017

I would just like to say a massive thank you to all those at Webers Circus for allowing me free rein in moving around where I wanted too and the giving me of their precious time to make this series. I couldn’t have done it without any of you.

When I started this series I was hoping I didn’t get too caught up in making pictures that where cliched and easy to make. As circus acts are full of colour and fast action with lots going on, it would have been easy to concentrate on as it’s quite wonderful to watch. This series was to be about people.

A circus is not a circus without it’s talent and talent only comes from people who put in long hours of work, training and practicing their skills. The following portfolio of images was made over two days at the end of an evening’s show. I wanted each image to show the person and not be specific to any act, just a study. Not having anytime to pre-plan any of these shots I had to bite the bullet and wing it. I started off by shooting the ring master centre of the ring but it just wasn’t working, the image needed layering, I noticed this early as the camera was tethered to a computer giving me a much larger frame for the eye to explore and notice any problems, which it did, plus the subject can see what is working and what’s not, this helped with things like props and lipstick. Lighting was natural, whatever was available in my space supplemented with a flash fired through a soft-box. ISO was set high to get as much detail as possible and I allowed light to bleed where it wanted so that I could get the cinematic effect I was chasing. Colour grading was done as much as possible in Capture One with things like curves, levels, dodging and burning done in Photoshop later.

This series has been a dream for me to shoot and I have enjoyed every last moment of it, it’s taken a very long time for the opportunity to come round and Im grateful to everybody. Thank you Webers Circus.

You can forgive yourself for thinking everything’s possible in the circus except acting your age and being all grown up and sensible. That’s for the boring real world of grown up people. This is part of my project on Webers Circus and the people who make the magic happen.

The circus is a place to be exhilarated and enthusiastic, be a child again and celebrate the joy of being alive.In the circus there’s magic, mystery, fun, and laughter of childhood. A wondrous place to behold. Adventure awaits for those who enter the secret world of the Big Top, as you enter with anticipation and excitement of things that can only be imagined.

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Drama, out of control activity, courage and beauty, the energy of mad as a hatter clowns, trapeze artists that seem to defy gravity, juggling, tumbling through air. You can see your childhood played out in front of you as you hold your breath. Protected from the real world by a thin layer of canvas magic, under which music plays and special smells fill the air, magic has come to your town and filled your heart. The audience clap and laugh, excited, lights light up the faces of children standing close to their parents who’s faces shine almost as brightly.

We now live in a world that seems to want to take away the wonder of childhood, but the people of the circus work hard to erect the Big Top and keep the thrills alive defying those that would want to spoil those special memories. But the tent is just the beginning, measurement’s must be made, lights set up, seating placed, then it’s all got to be checked before the acts can get in and start to practice, making it all look so easy. These are the details that go on so we the audience can escape in to that world of make-believe.

Crowds around the world have been inspired, enthralled and entertained by the circus for many years and as it’s been far too long a time since my last visit I can’t help but be one of them. I revel in the magic of the show, lights, music, smells and noise.

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It would be a shame to lose all of this, if it goes what will we have lost? There will be no more dreams to escape into, when circus days, like the good old days, like the dreams you had, like the child you were, are gone.

The desire to travel, the mystery of packing up your tent and slipping off into the night. Adventure awaits, escape is the next town. The circus is always the same, it never changes.

In June 1266 having turned down the chance to make peace on King Henry’s terms, the rebel supporters of Simon de Montfort prepared to defend Kenilworth Castle. King Henry moves his men to Kenilworth and the siege begins.

I covered the event over the beautiful long weekend of August last year as the 750 Anniversary of the Siege took place.